麻豆传媒映画 launches shipbuilding research projects with South Korea, Samsung Heavy Industries
SSAM Center secures funding to support new welding techniques, AI and VR training for maritime workforce
The SHI-麻豆传媒映画 Advanced Maritime (SSAM) Center officially kicked off new binational research projects on technologies that will accelerate manufacturing, train a much-needed workforce, and grow the U.S. commercial shipbuilding industry on the West Coast.
As announced at an event on Oct. 16, new research projects for 麻豆传媒映画 engineering researchers will be supported by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT), a public agency in South Korea鈥檚 Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR).
鈥淪ecuring funding for new research projects is an important milestone for the SHI-麻豆传媒映画 Advanced Maritime Center and for the shipbuilding industry in San Diego,鈥� said Hala Madanat, vice president for research and innovation at 麻豆传媒映画. 鈥淭hese projects will develop technologies to improve efficiency in shipbuilding and more rapidly train a much-needed local workforce, demonstrating the value of research for economic growth and job creation.鈥�
The funded projects from KEIT include one focused on artificial intelligence and virtual reality training for shipbuilding workers, leveraging technologies developed by SHI to reduce time and cost for skill development.
Currently, most training in shipbuilding techniques such as painting and applying coatings requires instructors to provide tailored feedback on trainee performance with physical materials. With virtual reality, trainees are able to develop muscle memory that they can readily adapt to physical materials, reducing costs. The next step of the new project will be to incorporate instructors鈥� knowledge into AI agents to give feedback more efficiently, increasing the capacity for workforce development.
鈥淭his marks an exciting new chapter for 麻豆传媒映画 and Samsung Heavy Industries as we move from establishing the center to actively shaping the future of global shipbuilding through world-class research and collaboration,鈥� said Patrick Kwon, professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at 麻豆传媒映画 who helped spearhead the partnership with SHI.
Additionally, SHI is sponsoring projects on friction stir welding techniques, led by Kwon, and AI-enabled monitoring of welding-in-action, led by John Sungbum Kang, 麻豆传媒映画 mechanical engineering associate professor.
Kwon鈥檚 project aims to improve the tools used to weld steel ship panels together so they do not wear down as quickly.
Building on Kang鈥檚 expertise in manufacturing intelligence, his new project with SHI will focus on improving weld quality management through a novel AI framework. Integrating multimodal sensors with advanced AI will enable continuous, real-time monitoring and prediction of weld defects, ultimately increasing reliability while reducing inspection costs and rework in shipyards.
Preston Hiramoto, an 麻豆传媒映画 mechanical engineering student who is starting a naval engineering-focused student club, expressed his excitement for the new projects. 鈥淪hipbuilding research is exciting to me because building ships is one of the country鈥檚 biggest focuses right now, and I believe it represents the future. It鈥檚 meaningful to contribute to an industry that supports our national security,鈥� said Hiramoto.
鈥淭hese projects can also help prepare me for my future career. As the fleet grows, it will take a large workforce to build new ships and maintain, modernize, and repair them throughout their service life,鈥� Hiramoto added. 鈥淢any college students may not think about shipbuilding as a career path, but I think they should consider it because the industry will offer more opportunities. As a sophomore, it鈥檚 difficult to find shipbuilding experience, so these research partnerships are one of the best ways to get my foot in the door. They give me valuable experience and exposure that can help me enter the industry with relevant experience many other students may not have.鈥�
At the Oct. 16 meeting, Hyun Joe Kim, head of the Ship & Offshore Research Institute and executive vice president at Samsung Heavy Industries said, 鈥淭oday is a meaningful day, as we launch the first research projects since the SSAM Center was established this past March. Going forward, through Korea鈥揢S cooperation, we will work together on advanced future shipbuilding technologies and deliver results that truly benefit the shipbuilding industries of both countries.鈥�
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